Author Archives: jason

Album review: SONS OF TOWN HALL – Of Ghosts and God

Posted on February 28, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date: 06.03.26] Sons of Town Hall formed nearly a decade ago in a London pub and consist of singer-songwriters Ben Parker and David Berkeley. Sons of Town Hall have crafted an elaborate fictional world to frame the album, … Continue reading →

Album review: ROBIN TROWER – Live!

Posted on February 28, 2026 by jason

Chrysalis [Release date: 03.04.26] Guitarist Robin Trower made himself as a guitarist, originally with Procol Harum, before forging a successful solo career. Most will (or should) know his classic second album, Bridge Of Sighs, which was remastered and expanded last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, classic rock, guitarist, hard rock, live, Procul Harum, review, Robin Trower, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: NEAL MORSE BAND – L.I.F.T.

Posted on February 26, 2026 by jason

InsideOut Music [Release date: 27.02.26] The announcements that the Neal Morse Band’s fifth album, L.I.F.T.’ would be released in 2026 came as a pleasant surprise to many fans of NMB (as they now style themselves). That was the result of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dream Theater, L.I.F.T., Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Neal Morse Band, NMB, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, Spock's Beard | Leave a comment

News: RUSH, CRIMSON GLORY, VON GROOVE (March 2026)

Posted on February 23, 2026 by jason

Acacia Avenue release ‘Chapter V’ via Pride & Joy Music on May 29. Amberian Dawn release their latest album, ‘Temptation’s Gates’, on June 26 via Napalm Records. The band have also announced Nicole Willerton as their new vocalist. Deko Entertainment release a 50th … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Exhibitions, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, AOR, blues, Crimson Glory, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Rush, special editions, tour dates, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLE AND THE BANDITS – Salt Roots

Posted on February 23, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 27.02.26] This latest album from Wille and the Bandits sees main man William ‘Wille’ Edwards and his band reaching new heights of epic story telling brilliance. Salt Roots is, in many ways, a homage to Cornwall, Edwards’ county … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Cornish Surfer Blues Rock, review, rock, Salt Roots, Willie And The Bandits | Leave a comment

EP review: RIOT WEEKEND – Table4Four

Posted on February 21, 2026 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 27.03.26] RiotWeekend hail from Guildford, with a line-up consisting of Holly Nunn (lead vocals and bass) Tomma Moulard (guitars), Rab McGowan (guitars) and Salvatore Bertolone (drums). They released their self-titled debut EP in 2022 to favourable reviews … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, pop punk, punk, review, Riot Weekend, rock, Table4Four | Leave a comment

Gig review: FORTY ELEPHANT GANG – Harwell Village Hall, February 20 2026

Posted on February 21, 2026 by jason

First gig of the 2026 season of gigs hosted and promoted by Big Ginger Tom Music, which includes a sold out show by Seth Lakeman in the autumn and the Urban Folk Quartet in May. Support act is Warwickshire based Lauren … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, blues, folk, Forty Elephant Gang, Friday 20 February 2026, gig, Harwell Village Hall, indie, Lauren South, review, soul | Leave a comment

EP review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Purgatory Carnival

Posted on February 20, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 28.02.26] Kent based Spreading the Disease are back and heavy as ever! The band’s current line-up consists of Steve Saunders (bass), Thorsten Giertsch (guitar), Donal McGee (drums), Daniel Stevenson (guitar) and Jonny P (vocals). Spreading the Disease … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, extreme metal, metal, Purgatory Carnival, review, Spreading The Disease | Leave a comment

Single review: PARKER BARROW – Glass Eye Cryin’

Posted on February 20, 2026 by jason

Ooooh yeah there it is again, that voice, ranting, raving and raising hell on this slice of southern tinged rock n roll. Whose voice you may ask – Megan Kane I answer, hear it loud and hear it proud. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, Fanny, Glass Eye Cryin', Parker Barrow, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, single | Leave a comment

Book review: TONY BANKS: MAN OF SPELLS -THE MAGICIAN OF GENESIS by Mario Giammetti

Posted on February 17, 2026 by jason

Kingmaker Publishing Anyone with the slightest knowledge of, or interest in, the history of Genesis will quickly acknowledge the importance of keyboard player, songwriter and founding member Tony Banks within its various line-ups. Like me then, they would probably be … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Genesis, MAN OF SPELLS -THE MAGICIAN OF GENESIS, Mario Giammetti, Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, prog rock, review, Tony Banks | Leave a comment

Single review: SAMANTHA FISH – Rusty Razor

Posted on February 16, 2026 by jason

This song hits you like an early Led Zep riff, then Samantha launches into some vocals so brimming with attitude they blow you back and pin your ears to the wall. This song is already getting airplay on Planet Rock, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, blues rock, guitarist, Paper Doll, review, rock, Rusty Razor, Samantha Fish, single, Zac Shulze Gang | Leave a comment

Album review: VOODOO RAMBLE – Live Made In The UK

Posted on February 13, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 01.02.26] On side 2 of Savoy Brown’s A Step Further, the singer announces – this is the boogie the Savoy Brown Boogie, and then they launch into a full album side of a live cut of blues boogie. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Boris Zamba, Live Made in the UK, Pete Feenstra, review, rock, Voodoo Ramble | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BAND OF BOOM

Posted on February 12, 2026 by jason

Ragtime Records [Release date 13.03.26] “Imagine the Kill Bill soundtrack played by Rage Against the Machine with an orchestra” is the blurb used to entice the wary listener into the music of twelve piece, Birmingham based, Big Band of Boom. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, big band, Big Band of Boom, fusion, indie, jazz, metal, review, rock, swing, System Of A Down | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Thirst Trap

Posted on February 12, 2026 by jason

Rock Company Records [Release date 25.02.26] Phil Vincent has been releasing albums since 1996, as a solo artist or as a member of bands like Tragik and D’Ercole. ‘Thirst Trap’ is his 24th solo album to date, and it is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Sabbath, classic rock, D'Ercole, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock, Thirst Trap, Tragik | Leave a comment

Album review: CLAIRE VINE – We Carve Our Path

Posted on February 10, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 13.03.26] To release an album with no noticeable instruments, you must either be very brave or very established. I think Claire Vine is a bit of both. She has established herself as part of the psych folk band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bandcamp, Claire Vine, folk, Hands of the Heron, review, singer, We Carve Our Path | Leave a comment

Album review: BROOKS WILLIAMS AND AARON CATLOW – Working In Wood

Posted on February 9, 2026 by jason

BROOKS WILLIAMS AND AARON CALLOW - Working In Wood

Website A fiddle, an acoustic guitar, two voices and an upright bass – a winner for Americana some might say, including this reviewer. Played live in the studio this ten track album is a great intro to Brooks Williams and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aaron Catlow, acoustic, album, Brooks Williams, folk, instrumental, jazz, review, traditional, Working In Wood | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS CHURCHILL-DRIES – Crazy Is This Life

Posted on February 3, 2026 by jason

AOR Blvd Records [Release date 30.01.26] Former White Sister and Tattoo Rodeo vocalist Dennis Churchill-Dries is back with another album packed full of classy melodic rock. He’s joined by Steve Newman on guitar and keys, along with Newman drummer Rob … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, AOR Blvd Records, Dennis Churchill Dries, hard rock, melodic rock, review, rock, Steve Newman, Tattoo Rodeo, White Sister | Leave a comment

EP review: LEAVES’ EYES – Song of Darkness

Posted on February 2, 2026 by jason

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 06.03.26] Leaves’ Eyes have been around since 2003 and still feature vocalist (growls), keyboards player and producer Alexander Krull, with Finnish soprano Elina Siirala fronting the band since 2016. The EP also marks the recording … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Alexander Krull, Elina Siirala, EP, Leaves' Eyes, melodic metal, metal, review, Song of Darkness, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: GOTTHARD – More Stereo Crush

Posted on February 2, 2026 by jason

Reigning Pheonix Music [Release date 13.03.26] Gotthard released ‘Stereo Crush’ last year and now have a follow on eight-track EP. Five songs are previously unreleased from the ‘Stereo Crush’ sessions, ‘Mayday’ had only been available as a video, and there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Gotthard, hard rock, KROKUS, Marc Storace, melodic hard rock, More Stereo Crush, review | Leave a comment

Single review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Hell Or High Water

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Website “Can I help you sir?” “Yes I’d like some gospel blues served up with a soupçon of acoustic guitar and banjo, with lashings and lashings of raunchy electric guitar and topped off with an economic but searing guitar solo” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, blues rock, guitarist, Hell or High Water, Joanne Shaw Taylor, review, single, soul | Leave a comment

Book review: WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING by Andy Stuart

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Kingmaker Publishing [Publication date 06.02.26] Written to accompany the new album from Big Big Train, ‘Woodcut – The Making And The Meaning’ follows the gestation of what would result in the Progressive Rock band’s first concept album, through to the early … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alberto Bravin, album, Andy Stuart, Big Big Train, book, Clare Lindley, Greg Spawton, prog, prog rock, progressive, Progressive Rock, review, WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING | Leave a comment

News: AEROSMITH, SAVATAGE, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (February 2026)

Posted on January 27, 2026 by jason

SUZI QUATRO-London Palladium, 15 November 2023

Acid Reign will release a new album ‘Daze Of The Week’ on May 15. Aerosmith release ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ on March 20 as a limited-edition deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, black and colour vinyl, 3CD, CD, and digital. Steven Tyler and Joe … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Aerosmith, albums, AOR, blues, Cambridge Folk Festival, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Savatage, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL THORNALLEY – Stacked

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 23.01.26] Here at GRTR! Towers we love the work of Phil Thornalley, be it his solo pop/power rock delights or with Astral Drive, a band whose albums should be in any self-respecting music lover’s collection. On his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey Shea, melodic rock, Phil Thornalley, pop punk, pop rock, power pop, review, Stacked | Leave a comment

.Album review: AMY HOPWOOD – Gone to Flowers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 19,02.26] When I first put this album on I thought you’ve got to be joking, its just a bunch of nursery rhymes sung by a little girl. But then I thought of Ivor Cutler, a strange old … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Amy Hopwood, folk, Gone to Flowers, Ivor Culter, John Peel, melodic, quirky, review, traditional music | Leave a comment

EP review: SAM CARTER – Oakham Poachers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 05.12.26] Sam Carter is a BBC Folk Award winning finger picking singer songwriter, who has travelled the world playing his narrative rich songs. He carries on this fifteen year tradition with five songs on this EP. He … Continue reading →